Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations

3.9 (1) Subject to subsection 3.10(3), temporary stairs, ramps and platforms shall be designed, constructed and maintained to support any load that is likely to be imposed on them and to allow safe passage of persons and equipment on them.

(2) Temporary stairs shall have

• (a) uniform steps in the same flight;

• (b) a slope not exceeding 1.2 in 1; and

• (c) a hand-rail that is not less than 900 mm and not more than 1 100 mm above the stair level on open sides including landings.

(3) Temporary ramps and platforms shall be

• (a) securely fastened in place;

• (b) braced if necessary to ensure their stability; and

• (c) provided with cleats or surfaced in a manner that provides a safe footing for employees.

(4) A temporary ramp shall be so constructed that its slope does not exceed

• (a) where the temporary ramp is installed in the stairwell of a building not exceeding two storeys in height, 1 in 1, if cross cleats are provided at regular intervals not exceeding 300 mm; and

• (b) in any other case, 1 in 3.